Cinematography technique · used in 4 films

Off-Screen Space

Keeping a character or threat outside the frame on purpose. You sense it through sounds and other characters' reactions, and your imagination fills in the rest.

Examples

4 films that use it

  1. Rosemary's Baby (1968) poster

    Rosemary's Baby

    Roman Polanski · 1968

    Polanski keeps hiding things just out of view. Cinematographer William Fraker first framed Minnie's phone call so you could see her. Polanski had him move the camera until the doorframe blocked her. The film does the same with the baby, which you never see.

    Where to see it: Minnie's phone call. Rosemary's neighbor makes a call from the bedroom, and the camera stays in the next room. You only see a sliver of her back through the doorway and strain to hear what she says.

  2. In the Mood for Love (2000) poster

    In the Mood for Love

    Wong Kar-wai · 2000

    The cheating spouses exist only in off-screen space, the part of a scene the camera doesn't show. You hear them but never see them. They have their backs to the camera, or the edge of the frame crops their faces. Their absence is the strongest presence in the film. They decide everything about Mrs. Chan and Mr. Chow's relationship without ever seeming to.

    Where to see it: The mahjong scenes with the landlady and the neighbours. People mention the spouses, hint at them and feel them, but the film keeps them entirely out of the frame. Their unseen presence shapes the whole film.

  3. The Ghost Writer (2010) poster

    The Ghost Writer

    Roman Polanski · 2010

    The film ends on a sound. The Ghost leaves the party and a car speeds toward him. You hear the crash, then see the manuscript pages scatter in the wind. The film leaves you to fill in what happened.

    Where to see it: The last street scene: The Ghost tries to flag down a taxi outside the launch. A car accelerates in his direction, a crash is heard and the pages blow away.

  4. Her (2013) poster

    Her

    Spike Jonze · 2013

    You never see Samantha. She exists only as a voice and in how Theodore reacts to her. Oddly enough, that makes her feel more present and intimate than a character you could see.

    Where to see it: Every scene with Samantha. The technique is that she is never in the frame.

Questions

Quick answers

What is off-screen space in film?
Keeping a character or threat outside the frame on purpose. You sense it through sounds and other characters' reactions, and your imagination fills in the rest.
Which films use off-screen space?
Rosemary's Baby (1968), In the Mood for Love (2000), The Ghost Writer (2010), Her (2013).
What kind of technique is off-screen space?
It is a cinematography technique. Related cinematography techniques include Color Palette as Worldbuilding.

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